The Giving Tree is part of our Starts With a Story Collection, which includes more than 550 picture book companions based on high quality children’s literature that support you in delivering highly-engaging interactive read alouds with follow up activities. Learn more about this children’s book below! - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
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SUMMARY
"The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein is a timeless children's book that explores the concepts of selflessness, love, and the cycle of life. The story follows the relationship between a young boy and a generous tree. As the boy grows older, he continually returns to the tree, taking from it to fulfill his various needs and desires. The tree selflessly gives everything it has to the boy, from its apples and branches to eventually its trunk. The book highlights the tree's unwavering love and sacrifice, as well as the boy's evolving perspective on what brings him happiness. Through its simple yet powerful illustrations and poetic storytelling, "The Giving Tree" prompts reflection on the nature of giving, gratitude, and the interconnectedness between people and the environment. It serves as a poignant reminder of the value of selflessness and the enduring bonds formed through acts of generosity.
 USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
Our read aloud lesson plans for this picture book come with reading comprehension questions (with sample student responses), 30 writing prompts, teaching ideas for grammar skills, social emotional learning discussion ideas, and more. Check out our list below to get a sneak peek at some of the skills this resource teaches.
- Discuss the different characters in the story and analyze their thoughts and actions.
- Cause and effect can be a difficult skill for students. This book is a perfect mentor text for teaching this skill.
- Identifying the theme, message, or moral is an important skill that takes a lot of practice. Use this story as an opportunity to help your students with this reading strategy.
- Practice making predictions throughout the book. Encourage students to check and see if their predictions were correct.
- Have students sequence the important events in the story. This is an important skill when it comes to retelling a story.
- Introduce and act out action verbs.
- Discuss the importance of kindness.
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30Â writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
This book is a must have for your school or classroom library. Your students are going to love completing these activities for the book and you will be impressed with how much they learn. You will want to read this book to your class every year.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will love the similar books listed below, which can all be found in our free picture book list.
- The Tree Lady by H. Joseph Hopkins
- Tidy by Emily Gravett
- The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION
It's hard to explain how amazing the Starts with a Story book companions are because there is just so much goodness included in each one. It's best if you experience using one for yourself. Sign up below & we'll send you an entire book companion to try out for FREE!
